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BALL PYTHON - NEED TO SWITCH TO F/T!!

P

primetimereptiles

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HEY EVERYBODY,
I GOT 2 ADULT NORMAL BALL PYTHONS, 1 MALE AND 1 FEMALE I JUST PURCHASED YESTERDAY AT A REPTILE SHOW.

THE MAN SAID THEY WERE EATING LIVE RATS.
BUT I CANT FIND A WAY TO GET LIVE RATS.
I CAN ONLY GIVE THEM LIVE MICE OR F/T MICE/RATS.

HOW DO I SWITCH MY BALL PYTHONS FROM LIVE - F/T??

IVE HEARED YOU COULD....
-TAKE THE FROZEN MOUSE/RAT AND THAW IT OUT IN HOT WATER, DAMP IT OUT, AND THEN LIE IT UNDER A UVB LAMP TO CREATE THE SENSE.
-TAKE THE FROZEN MOUSE/RAT AND THAW IT OUT IN HOT WATER, DAMP IT OUT, DIP IT IN TUNA/CHICKEN BROTH AND DAMP IT OUT TO CREATE THE SENSE.

DO ANY OF THESE WORK AND DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER WAY THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL BESIDES FORCE/ASSIST FEEDING??
 
TAKE THE FROZEN MOUSE/RAT AND THAW IT OUT IN HOT WATER, DAMP IT OUT
Click to expand...

And then offer it. Many will take it without extra prepping. If it does not take it, wait a week and try again. It is harder to get adults switched, I'm trying to switch one of my own right now with no success so far.

If it continues to refuse then you can try other methods. Assist or force feeding should be a last resort, as this creates additional stress.
 
The BP forum probably would have been a better place for this, but that is just my opinion.

When considering a purchase of adult ball pythons, a good rule to follow is that if you can't provide what they are already eating, you probably shouldn't buy them - especially if you don't have experience on your side (which your post indicates that you don't). There is no guarantee that you will get them to take f/t rats. Try it...but, if it doesn't work, be prepared to try other things or watch them decline. If you can get live mice, they might take those...then a f/t rat offered as they're finishing. Or, you might need to turn to f/t gerbils or ASFs if you are set on not giving live. There is usually a way to get them feeding...but there is no guarantee that they will change to what you want them to eat.
 
:iagree: with Melinda
:iagree: with Harald

I have had adults switch with no problem and I have spent a year and a half trying to get them to switch to what I wanted them to eat. I was lucky in that at the time I had access to what ever I needed but it can still be tough. Check around the Ball Python forum and I'm sure you will find a lot of info that may help. Good Luck and keep us posted.
 
I agree with what everyone else has said... just make sure the rat is thoroughly warm before offering it. When I've switched adults over in the past, I just held the rat by the scruff of the neck with tongs so I can wiggle it a little to make it more appealing. I also think feeding in the dark can help... it all depends on the animal. I had a WC female switch over on her first feeding in captivity (I wasn't expecting that at all. I just had an extra thawed out so I figured I'd try), and I've had CB animals that never consistently ate F/T.
 
Im sure this has been cvered as I glimpsed through the post... But You may try throwing a Small mouse in with them to generate intrest and then offer the F/T to them. This has worked for me in the past with Bp's and 1 Male Burm (doesn't work with the Burm anymore he's on rabbits and as long as their warm warm he takes em now)
Hope this helps
Sometimes you have to persistant with them and keep trying...
 
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